High stakes in Hot Springs

> Sun Belt Tournament: In a wide-open tournament, FAU is hoping it can get hot once again in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Hot Springs, Ark.

Originally published on 3/5/2010

by Marcus Nelson

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Around this time last year, FAU guard Ray Taylor and the other freshman playing for the Owls were battling for a championship.

But those were high school titles on the line.

Now a trip to The Big Dance is what’s at stake when the Owls begin play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Saturday in Hot Springs, Ark.and Taylor is excited.

“Now we go in knowing that if we win these four games that we are No 1 in the conference and we are going to the NCAA Tournament,” said Taylor, an All-Sun Belt Conference third team selection.

FAU coach Mike Jarvis thinks his freshman will be ready when the Owls begin the tournament with a first round game against South Alabama at 3:15 p.m.

“I expect the guys to play well because we aren’t supposed to win,” Jarvis said. “They’ve already proven they can beat most teams.”

Jarvis’ biggest concern might be how his upperclassmen play – namely Brett Royster, who only scored 3 points and fouled out in 12 minutes in FAU’s 79-73 loss to North Texas in last season first-round tournament game. But Royster has been getting stronger as this season progresses. He had eight points and six rebounds in Saturday's regular-season finale, following a 16-point,10-rebound performance vs. Western Kentucky.

"Brett is playing at a higher level right now,” Jarvis said. “I've been pushing him for two years but he’s pushing himself now.”

To win the tournament the Owls will have to win four games in four days, starting with the Jaguars. If FAU advances it will face No. 1 seed Troy.

The Owls split with both the Jaguars and Trojans during the regular season.

FAU guard Alex Tucker said the team is ready for the challenge.

“Everyone’s on the same page,” Tucker said. “Everyone is focused. We’ll come in on Saturday with a full head of steam against South Alabama and try to take them out. Then go to Troy and try to take them out.”

Taylor likes the Owls’ chances.

“The stakes are high and a lot of the times when the stakes get high people just get out of character and everybody might not be as confident are they are in the regular season or might be more confident than they should be,” Taylor said. “If everybody just goes in and plays together. I think we have a real good shot of winning the tournament.”

And Jarvis said despite losing three consecutive games entering the tournament, the Owls still have shot.

“I think the guys know if they play well they can beat anybody in this league,” Jarvis said. "Anything is possible if you believe.”

Sun Belt Conference Tournament
South Alabama Jagaurs (16-14) vs.
FAU (14-15)

When: Saturday, 3:15 p.m.
Where: Summit Arena, Hot Springs, Ark.
Radio: ESPN 760 or streaming live
Scouting the Jaguars: Official site
Covering the Jaguars: Mobile Press-Register
Sun Belt Conference: Championship Central
Printable Bracket: Keep track of tournament

About the Jaguars: South Alabama was off last weekend giving the Jaguars a full 10 days between games. …South Alabama defeated Denver in its last regular-season game to snap a two-game losing streak. … Jags are reeling following the late-season suspensions of F LaShaun Watson and G Raymond Sims and a knee injury to Bryan Sherrer..

About the Owls: FAU is 2-3 all-time in Sun Belt Conference Tournament play, but 0-1 under Jarvis. …The Owls trail the all-time series vs. USA 2-6. …Greg Gantt (15.7 ppg) is the top freshman scorer in the Sun Belt.

Projected South Alabama starters/ Head coach Ronnie Arrow